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Rural Network to host a seminar on rural marketing
MUMBAI: A seminar on the challenges of rural marketing in the 21st century is being organised by the Rural Network on 6 August 2004 at the Taj Residency in Bangalore.
The Rural Network is an informal alliance which started two years ago by four leading rural agencies namely Anugrah Madison (Chennai), Mart (Delhi), Rural Relations (Pune) and Sampark (Mumbai). Each of them is specialised in one aspect of rural marketing apart from being a regional specialist. Through various initiatives, the Rural Network has been promoting the cause of rural marketing.
The seminar will focus on the changing profile of the rural consumer, role of mass media and technology in reaching the rural customers. There will be specific case studies covering FMCGs, durables and automobiles. The highlight of the seminar will be the panel discussion in which specific questions from the floor regarding rural marketing issues will be answered by a panel of experts in rural marketing and communication.
In the context of the focus of the new budget on agriculture and the consequent boost it is expected to give the rural economy, the rural market is bound to pick up. Though many corporates are talking about going rural, the seminar will examine if the initiatives taken by the corporates are enough and what needs to be done to take the products to the hinterland of the country.
The speakers include Pradeep Kashyap of Mart, N D Badrinath of TNS India, J Ravindra Kumar of ITC (Secunderabad), Rama Bijapurkar from Strategic Marketing Consulting, Karthik Raina from Dalmia Consumer Care, K G George from TTK Prestige, Harish Bijoor of Harish Bijoor Consults, Rajesh Jejurikar of Mahindra & Mahindra, R V Rajan from Anugrah Madison, Pradeep Lokhande of Rural Relations and R A Patankar of Sampark.
According to the organisers, the seminar will be of interest to all those involved in marketing and management from the world of advertisers, ad agencies and media.
The seminar is supported by Deccan Herald, Bangalore and Businessline (The Hindu Group) is its media partner.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
